Maggie's Day 325 of Discovering Love in Observing the Comments, Actions and Expressions of Others

Ah, the twelve days of Christmas have passed. This evening I completed the fifth of twelve consecutive installation art pieces for the First Friday Trolley Hop and tomorrow I will work for the first day this year.

What a magnificent life I lead.

I discovered love this evening as I stood back observing the comments, actions and expressions of all those who took a moment out of their lives to stop by and view my self portrait. It is on display down at the Green Building, uniquely me, uniquely displayed.

People love the element of surprise. That was made obvious to me this evening. I love to make people smile. They smiled.

Maggie's Day 324 of Discovering Love in three of the Twelve Drummers Drumming on the Twelfth Day of Christmas

Rumor has it that Three Wise Men arrived in Bethlehem on this day two thousand and twelve years ago bringing gifts to the Christ Child.

Today I arrived at a party with three drummers drumming and surely passed the other nine along my way during the day.

Arriving at school at six o’clock this morning I worked hard on my homework assignment until class began and then afterwards worked on my sculpture for my First Friday Trolley Hop exhibit.

I headed for home sometime after ten this evening stopping at a neighbor’s house to join in on their Epiphany before walking home. I suppose I stayed a little longer than I originally intended.

Maggie's Day 323 of Discovering Love in Replacing Eleven Pipers Piping on the Eleventh Day of Christmas

At a few minutes past eight this morning as I was waiting for a meeting to begin I thought to myself, “Wow, gotta find Eleven Pipers Piping today. Where?”

The meeting began. The mission was forgotten.

So, here I am on the Eleventh Day of Christmas with the clock ticking away and I have no Pipers Piping. Now what?

The same soft and freeing Jazz CD that I spoke of yesterday is playing from the music box just to the right of me. It sits on the floor just under a buffet in my dining room. Unfortunately that peaceful music has not beckoned any pipers. The only pipes I have carry gas and water to the house and refuse from it.

I think the closest I can make it in this recession Twelve Days of Christmas is Ten Feet a Drawn as opposed to the historical Eleven Pipers Piping.

Maggie's Day 322 of Discovering Love in an Empty Handed Tenth Day of Christmas Without Ten Lords Leaping

If there were Ten Lords a Leaping anywhere in this town today, I did not see them. I was about sitting and watching, waiting and seeking yet I never saw one Lord nor anyone leaping. I didn’t see any frogs either.

Thirteen and a half-hours later I am exhausted, empty handed and without a photo or a love of discovering Ten Lords a Leaping. It’s a good thing we’re in some pretty bad economic times because I found a solution to my almost empty-handed nothingness.

Since I couldn’t find ten of anything I thought about a derivative of ten. That could be one. So, I am one. I’m a lady instead of a Lord. On this day that was a good enough trade off for me, an exceptional one at that.

Maggie's Day 321 of Discovering Love in the Search of Nine Ladies Dancing on the Ninth Day of Christmas

Last night’s dinner was accompanied by an antihistamine because of the home’s five canine inhabitants. Waking up this morning was not a pleasant event.

The alarm’s bold robust sound hit my rested eardrums like a tsunami on a sandy southern beach on a calm restful morning. I shot up wondering where I was and where I needed to be. The answers didn’t come easily.

A quick run to the restroom and a splash of water on my face reminded me I had a nine o’clock date for coffee and doughnuts with Bill. A date I didn’t want to miss or be late for.

I love that man. I cherish every minute I get with him. I learn every time he opens his mouth. His wisdom is awe-inspiring. To watch him work is like tending to one of God’s miracles. It is miraculous.

Maggie's Day 320 of Discovering Love in Not Seeking out Eight Maids a Milking on the Eighth Day of Christmas

The wind blew into town today with such furry that I rushed downtown at just minutes past nine to check on my current installation art piece. All was surprisingly well so I scurried home for a peaceful beginning to this fabulous New Year.

I rang in the day with a nice little Italian brunch that made this whole year worth living. When Italians cook, eating is good. Life is good.

On this Eighth Day of Christmas I was originally in search of Eight Maids o Milking but abandoned the idea the minute I thought I had a surefire way to discover love today.

Whether it was ‘surfire’ or not I may never know. In the meantime I discovered love in a beautiful brunch on a sunny morning in the tastiest sandwich that has ever been created my man.

So, there was no need for maids, or cows or milking or anything else for that fact. Today I discovered love was going to come in it’s own time with it’s own plan. All I had to do was show up and participate.

Maggie's Day 319 of Discovering Love in Seven Swans a Swimming on the Seventh Day of Christmas

When swans swim they are beautiful and elegant. It’s as though they miraculously glide like silk on crystal clear water that’s as smooth as ice. That’s how I felt today.

I didn’t need Seven Swans a Swimming to enjoy this day and receive its riches. All I had to do was show up to love and be loved. It was as easy as pie today. And as sweet as my lemon poppy seed birthday cake that my fabulous sister Katie made for me.

I swam through this day with ease doing what I love to do and being with those whom I love to be with.

Thank you for sharing a piece of yourself with me today. You made me feel like a million bucks.

I know the New Year is going to be a humdinger of a great experience because today was so magnificent. It was just a precursor of what is to come.

So, get on your riding jackets because we’re going for a ride. This year is going to be a good one.